Check writer



oct. 6,1925. 1,556,466

G.. M. wlLLls CHECK WRITER Filed May 24, 1922 Y 4 sheets-sheet 1 SH V770U JMZMMQ.' Mm' M G. M. WILLIS CHECK WRITER Oct. 6, 1925- 4 'sheets-sheet 2 'lea May 24, 1922 G. M. WILLIS CHECK WRITER Filed May 24, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 6, 1925.

GEORGE M. WILLIS, OF CHIGAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHECK WRITER.

Application led May 24, 1922*.. Serial'No. 563,229.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. lVrLLrs, a citizen of thefUnited States, residing at Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Check Writers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise,

and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

The present invention relates to check writers, and embodies improvements upon the construction of cheek writer disclosed .in my co-pending application, Serial No. 481,- 632, filed June 30, 1921.l

One of the prominent objects of the invention is to improve upon the form of check writer disclosed in this prior application to the end of permitting a more convenient insertion of the check into the machine, and to adapt the machine to receiving voucher checks and other commercial paper of large size.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of gripping lingers which operate to grip and retain the check against displacement while the perforating and printing operations are being performed thereon.

A. further object is to provide an improved arrangement of aligning mechanism for properly aligning the check with the printing line in the machine. y A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of adjustable stops for'limiting the throw of the oscillatory7 frame which cari ries the perforating mechanism and printing platen.

A. further object is to provide an improved 'construction of reinforced frame for strengthening that portion of the machine disposed above the check receiving slot.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of smudge plate or member for deiecting away from the type bars that portion of the check not to be printed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred construction of my invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the check writer;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational same;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View through the machine;

view of the with short flanges 18 w v Fig. 4 is a" plan view, lpartly in elevation, a-ndppartly in sect-ion, of the machine on substantially l.the scale illustrated in Fig. 5 is aside elevational view of the machine with the housing removed, illustrat-v ing the construction of the machine frame` and the arrangement of the gripping fingers; Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating different steps inthe operating cycle of themachine; and

Fig. 8 is an inverted fragmentary elevational view of the type bars and the plate bearing the trade symbol or other indicia.

The operating parts of the machine are supported in an oblong frame 10 comprising two side plates 11-11 which are stamped out with channels 12 bent'backwardly along the vertical ends of the plates. Extending along the upper edge of each side plate is a laterally bentflange 20 which serves to reini force that portion of the frame overhanging the check receiving slot 30. The frame plates are securedgtogether in spaced relation-by transversebars or plates 13 which have their ends rigidly secured in slots in the side plates 11-11. Both these transverse bars are disposed above the level of the check receiving slot 30. The lower edges of the'side plates 11-11 are held in spaced relation by securing these plates to the bottom housing plate 22. As shown in Fig. 3.

Ithis is preferably accomplished by striking tongues 22 up from lthis housing plate and securing the side frame plates tov these tongues by suitable screws and nuts 21.

The aforesaid frame 10 is enclosed in a' sheet metal housing comprising side and end walls 16 yand 17-17 and a cover pla-tcl8. The ends of this cover plate'are curved downwardly to meet' the upper edge of the end wall 17 and the edge of the checlrreceiving slot 30. These downwardly bent ends are secured to thechannel formations 12 of the frame by screws 19. The

left hand end wall 17 (Fig. 2) is comparatively short so as to terminate at the bottom of the slot 30, this end wall being similarly secured 4to the channel formations 12 by vscrews 19. The longitudinal and vertical edges of the cover' -late 18 are formed ich overlap the adjacent edges of the side walls 16-16 and thus securely confine these side walls against the channel formations 12. The end walls 17-17 are similarly formed with flanges which overlie the side plates 16-16-. i The margins of the bottom plate 22 are likewise provided with flanges which overlie the side plates 16-16 and also the end 'plates 17-17. The bottom plate is provided with rubber feet 24 for supporting the device, these rubber feet being confined in, metallic cups 25 engaging the botto-m plate 22, (Fig. 3). A screw 26 passing up through the rubber. foot and through the cup 25 tapsinto the bottom plate 22, and a tongue 28, which is struck up from lthe cup 25 is" adapted to enter a corresponding slot in the bottom plate 22 for ho-lding the rubber foot against accidental unscrewing. The right hand end plate 17 is made readily removable through the provision of a knob'29 which controls a locking lug 29 adapted to lengage behind the adjacent' edge of the cover plate 18. j rllhis end plate 17 is made removable to aHo-rd convenient access for the remo-val of ythe inking pad, all o-f which is described in detail in my co-pending ap-,

plication.

rllhe operation of perforating the check and impressing the type characters therein is performed by the back and forth movement of an operating handle 32. This han-l dle is pivoted on a transverse operating shaft 33, the vertical plane of which defines the printing line along which the printing operation is performed. As viewed in Figs.

2 and 3, the check receiving slot 30 extends from the left hand end of the machine past this printing line and to a point in proximityto the right hand end of the machine. As shown in Fig. 1 the handle- 32 is curved away from the machine so as to accommodate relatively wide checks or vouchers in the slot 30. The bottom of the slot is faced by a plate 34 which extendssubstantially the. full length of the slot land which has.

extending, flanged margins which project beyond the end and sides of the machine. The entering edge. of the slot is inclined upwardly, as indicated at 30', to facilitate insertion of the check, vand this inclined portion and the topof the slot is faced. by a plate 35 having iian,f ,'esV 36 bent over and vsecured to the side plates 16-16, as shown in Fig. 5.

' VThe lateral portions ofthe lower guide plate 34 are extended youtwardly at the inner end of the plate, as shown in Fig. 1, to

mount the two adjustable stops 37-37 on each side of the machine.Y These stops are adjustably held to the'plate 34 by screws 38 which extend upv through slots 39. The

head of each screw presses a spring metal clip 41 up against the under side of the plate 34 so as to resiliently retain the stop in any adjusted position. Scale indicia 42 1s provided 0n the plate 34 along the slots `relation to the type bars.

39, this scale indicia having numerals which are aligned transversely of the machine so as to indicate when the two check stops 37 are exactly parallel in a true right angle that the selected type will register accurately along the ,amount line in the check. Two indicating fingers 43 are pivoted at'44 on opposite sides of 'the machine, each fin-- ed, it being apparent that after these stops have been set for a given size of check, no further adjustment is necessary. The lower guide plate 34. is .detachably secured inthe vslot 3() by screws 47 which. extend through holes in the side plates 16-16 and tap into ears 48 struck out of the plate 34.

.The several operations of (l) writing and protecting the amount payable; (2) protecting the payees name; and, possiblyV protecting they drawces signature, are all performed with the check remaining in one stationary position in the machine. As soon as the operating handle 32.is swung up to begin the first of these operations, the check is positively gripped in the slot 30 bv grip- .ping fingers 51 on opposite sides of the machine, (see Fig. 5). Each of these lingers is pivoted on a pin 52 mounted in the side plate 11 or 11, and has a nose 53 which isv adapted toswing up through a slot 54 in the plate 34 and press the check against a lug 55 extending laterally above the slot 54. Each gripping finger has a tail 56 which is adapted to be engaged by lever 57 pivoted at 58`to the frame plate 11. The short arm of the lever 57 has an inclinedl nose 59 which j is adapted to be engaged by a cam 61 on the operating shaft 33. A similar arrangement This is to insurel of-lever 57 and cam 61 is, of course, prol vided on the other side of the machine for operating the other gripping finger. When the operating handle is down in its normal position, the cam 61 occupies thc position shown, at which time the gripping finger 53 is retracted below the level of the plate 34. lVith the initial upward movement of the handle 34 `the cam 61 moves out from under the inclined nose 59 of the lever 57 and allows the gripping finger to be swung upwardly under the biasing action of a wire spring 62. This occurs before the handle has moved but a comparati vely. short distance, so that the gripping function is cation.

these operations 1n the present constructlon pressions as may be desirable,

effective from the first part of the* handle movement, whereby there is minimum possibility of displacing thelcheck. When the operating handle is swung back into its normal position at the completion of the check protecting operation, the cam 6l rides under the inclined nose 59, and by tilting the lever 57, cams the gripping finger 53 downwardly to free the check.

The manner of perfor-ating the check and impressing the printed'characters therein is described at length in my copending appli- The mechanism for performing is to a large extent a duplicate of that disclosed in my prior application so that a brief, general descrlption of these parts will anism are disposed below the check slot 30,

suffice.

" The type characters which print the and make such other imare formed on the lower surfaces of a plurality of horizontal type bars 63 having reciprocable support in the upper' part of the frame above the check slot 30. As shown in Fig. 8, each type bar from the tens-of-dollars upwardly may be provided with a. sign and then a star or other symbol after the unit digit. When so arranged the star or other symbol amount payable,

'would normally coincide with the printing line when the type bar was in its initial position. These stars orsymbols would thus normally stop-ofi' the space occupied by the numerals without requiring movement of ,the type bars, Theft sign could be shifted up to locate directly in front of the first dollar numeral by movement of the type bar adjacent the above is illusrated as an alternativeardollar indicating bar. T-he rangement to hat disclosed in my copend.- ing application, either of which.. can be used. Y j

The amount payable may be preceded by a symbol' or other printed matter impressed from a removable plate 60. As described in my preceding application, this plate may have a signature, advertising symbol or other printing matter bearing a definite relation to the drawerssignature so as to protect the latter. The type characters inthe type bars are preferably in intaglio.

The type bars are all supported between a series of parallel spacing bars '64 which are extended through slots v, in the transverse plates or bars 13. These spacing bars are all linked together against l)shifting movement by a pin or rod 65 which is extended through holes in the ends of the vspacing bars and through holes in the side plates 11-,11 of the main frame. The type bars are each provided with operating fingers 66 which are extended up through parallel slots 67 'in the cover plate 18. Each operating finger carries an indicating slide 68 bearing characters which are adapted to be exposed with the printing line --w Aarms l 77,

or plate 87 strips the check from the through individualv Windows 69 in the cover plate forindicating the positions of theirl corresponding type'bars.

The upper edge of each type bar 63 is, formed with a series ofdetent depressions 7l, in whichv engages an individual det/ent finger 72 for retaining the selected type characters in alignment, withthe printing and are moved into and out of registration through the .in-pA strumentality of an oscillatory frame or cradle 75. This oscillatory frame comprises a pair of swinging arms or levers 76 at one end of the machine and a corresponding pair of arms 77 at thegther end of the machine. The arms of each pair are pivoted for swinging movement along the inner side walls of the frame plates 11--11 on pivot rods 78 extending through the frame plates. The two arms are spaced yto remain in proximity to the frame plate spacingf sleeves 79. The arms are linked for joint oscillatory movement by links 81 extending between corresponding arms 76 thereto.

The perforating mechanism, which is designated 82 in its entirety, has a pairof arms 83 extending up between the' ends of the oscillatory frame arms 77. The arms 83 are pivoted to the oscillatory frame upon a pivot pin 84 extending between the frame vand connected to the pin 84 interthe arms 83 is a biasing spring motion to the osmediate 85 which imparts a snap cillatory frame in moving from one extreme position to the other. The perforating mechanism comprises aplurality of perforating plates 86 having serrated upper edged-.there being two groups of these perforating plates for perforating the area yin which is written the payees name, and for perforating the area in which is subsequently impressed the figures corresponding to the amount payable. A resiliently mounted stripper hopd per orating points when the perforating mechanismjis lowered below the slot 30. In the to and fro oscillatory motion ofthe frame 75, the head or block 88, which carries the perforating points, slides along the upper edges of the horizontal links 81. A

The printing platen, which is designated' 89 in its entirety, is constructed of a strip or bar of rubber 91 set in a recess in t e upper part of the platen head. This platen ported on the upper edges ofthe links 81.

The oscillation' of the lframe 75, and of the perforating and platen mechanisms, is eli'ected 'through the medium of a yoke memb er 94 which is rigidly mounted on the trans- 0 verse operatingv shaft 33.' 'From opposite ends of this yoke member extend pairs o-f diverging arms 95, between which extend pivot shafts 96. Mounted on these pivot shafts on opposite ends of the yoke are rollers 97 which are confined adjacent the arms 95 by lugs 98. The two pairs of rollers are adapted to alternately engage between opposing vertical faces 101 and 102 on the ends of the perforating mechanism and the 0^ platen mechanism, respectively. The posiride up under the printing platen and camtion of the rollers shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to the forward and down position of Vthe operating handle 32,l and it will be apparent that upon swinging the handle 32 backwardly, the uppermost pair of rollers 97 will engage the face102 and oscillate the frame to the left. Near the termination of this backward 4movement of the operating handle, the pair bf rollers which were lowermost at the beginning of this operation will move up under the perforating head and exert pressure against the same for perforat ing the check. This step is illustrated in Fig. 6. The final part of the handle movement in this direction swings this pair of rollers 97 past the end of the perforating head 88, so that the perforating head drops and this pair of rollers occupies the uppermost position between the perforating mechanism and the printing platen. 0n the rel turn throw of the handle, thislatter pair of rollers will oscillate the frame 75 back again to the right by engagement with the face 101, and during the last part of the handle movement, lthe trailing pairy of rollers 97 will the same upwardly so as to exert a firm impression pressure against the under sides of the type bars. 'This latter step is illustrated in Fig. 7. is swung down to its normal position, the pairs of rollers 97 resumethe position indicated in Fig. 3. ln swinging upM into en- 'gagement withthe check the perforating `mechanism and the printing platen move up through a relatively large lhole 103 in the lower guide plate 34. The movement of the operatmg handle is stop ed at each end of its throw by one or the ot er pairs of rollers 97 strikngagainst the front or back edges of lugs 100, which lugs are struck 'up from the bottom casing plate 22.

- To assure an effective perforation vand im- 65, pression of the check the camming action of the rollers passing under the perforating lhenA the operating handleplates is increased by Hanging the .edges of the plates, as indicated at 20.

To limit the throw of the oscillatory frame 75 inone direction, the pivot pin 93 at the left hand end thereof is arranged to play in slots 104l in the frame plates 11-1'1.

The throw of the oscillatory frame to the right is limitedlby ythe ends of the pin or shaft 93 striking the ends of the slots 104. The throw in the opposite direction is'limite'd by adjustable stop arms 105 which are pivoted upon screws 106 onl the inside of each of the frame plates 11-11. The arm 77 of the oscillatory frame is adapted to f strike the upper end of the stop arm 105 when the oscillatory frame is thrown to the left. rlhe pivot -106 is located intermediate thel ends of the stop arm 105 so that by shifting the lower end of this stop arm the upper end canbe shifted lfor adjustably locating the stopping point.l ln order thatthis adjustment may be made conveniently, a link 107 is pivoted to the lower end of the stop arm and is extended out to a point adjacent the end of the frame plate 11. Here a screw '108 passes through a slot 109 in the link and caps into the frame plate for adjustably clamping the link 107 in any desired position. lt will thus beseen that by the removal of the housing plate 17 con-l venient access ment. `V The removal of this housing plate 17 also affords access to the inking pad 73. rlhis padis mounted on a pad plate 111 which is removably supported on a lower reciprocating plate 112. The pad plate has a headed rivet 113 which has guiding en gagement in a slot 114 in the lower plate 112, the head of the rivetl13 overlyin the margins of the slot 114. rlwo punche depressions 115 in the pad late (Fig. 4) are adapted tojsnap into ho es in the reciprocating plate 112. By flexing the pad late upwardly through the medium of the piece 116, these punched depressions can be sprung ou't of the holes in the plate 112 so that the padplate can be withdrawn. t The p ate 112 has reciprocating motion is afforded to this stop adjustwith the oscillatory frame 75 through the medium. of arms 117 which extend down from the 'end of the plate 112 and have pivotal connection around the transverse pivot rod 84. The other end of the plate 112 is supported by the reciprocatin smudge plate 474 which recipr'cates bac and forth on the .other side of the printing ger n rad -points of the perforating member 82; see

line azi-m. This smudge plate is supported on the upper facing plate 3 5, and hasraised arms 118 which e-xtend back and join the plate 112. These two arms 118 result in the joint reciprocationof the` inkingpad plate and the smudge plate. When the inking pad 7 3 has been moved to theleft for inking the type characters, as shown in Fig. 6, the smudge plate is moved back from the printing line so as not to interfere with the perforating operation. The retraction of the inking pad-back out of the printing line draws the smudge plate forwardly into proximity to the printing line, so that when the platen ascends for finaking the impression, as shown in Figf`7, the smudge plate will deflect that portion of the check which is not to receive the impression awayfrom the type Characters. On the other side of the printing line, the upwardly turned end of the reciprocating plate 112 performs the same function by deflecting the check downwardly from the edge of the platen. The

side frame plates and the side casing plates are notched out as indicated at 120 to accommodate this upward flexing of the check.

The sudden straightening of the check after this flexure has a tendency to kick or project the check outwardly in the slot 30. Supported on the under side of the reciprocating plate 112 is a matrix 119 having depressions which match with the perforating Fig. c.

To enable the check writer to be packed in a space of minimum size .for shipment,

the handle 32 is removable, and .provision is made to insure that the handle can only be replaced in its one. correct position. As shown in Fig. 4, the handle proper is formed with a hub 121 which is adapted to be slipped over the reduced'threaded end of the operating shaft 33. A cap nut 122 is employed for forcing the hub 121 up a ainst a cooperating hub 123 which is pinned to the shaft 33. To render impossible the misplacing of the handle on the operating shaft, the face of the hub 122 is provided with three projecting studs 124 adapted for reception in pockets in the )opposing face of the hub 121. As sho-wn in Fig. 2, these studs are so grouped about the faceof the hub 123 that it. is impossible to vapply the hub 121 except in the one position in which all three studs ,are received in their respective sockets.

The ability to insert the check into`\ the check slot from the end of the machine per mits of an easy quick insertion, and extends the use of the machine to commercial paper of large size, such as voucher checks. The' 37-37 can beladjusted by their mere sliding along the guide plates 34, and .the precision ofindication afforded by the indicating fingers 43 also simplify the use of the machine.

I do not intend to be limitedV to the particular details herein "shown and described, except vas they are-deined inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1." In a check writer, the combination of a casing comprising an end wall and two side walls, the latter extending substantially from top to bottom of the machine, said end wall and said two `sidewalls having a check receiving slot extending therethrough, a frame having a slot opening from'one end thereof to registerA with the side wall slots and to dispose anl overhanging frame portion in the overhanging portion of the casing, a plurality of type bars having longitudinal sliding adjusting motion between said side walls and above said slot, and a platen between said side walls and dispose below said slot.

2. In a check writer, the combination of a said end wall andsaid two side walls foi` permitting one'edge of the check to be inserted from the end of the machine, a frame having a slot opening from one end thereof to register with the side wall slots and to j dispose-an overhanging frame portion in the overhanging portion of the casing, a plurality of type bars having horizontally'reciprocable adjusting motion between said side ,walls andabove said check receiving slot yand a platen normally disposed below said check receiving slot and adapted to move upwardly therethrough for cooperating with said type bars.

3. In a check writer, the combination of a frame comprising side plates, a casing asseinbled'over said frame, said casing' comprising an end wall and two side walls, a check receiving slot cut through the end wall and two side walls of said casing and through saidside plates of said frame, the frame slots opening through one end of the frame land registering with the side wall casing slots to permit insertion of the check from the end and providing an over-hanging frame portiondisposed in the overhanging portion of the casing, a plurality of type bars having horizontal rectilinear adjusting on said frame. above said check receiving slot, platen mechanism supported by said frame, and means'for moving said laten mechanism `up and down through sai slot.

4. In a. check writer,the combination of a casing having an end wall and two side walls, a plurality of longitudinally slldable 'type bars supported in said casing, a check receiving slot cut through said end wall and two side walls below said type bars, a plate mounted on the bottom of said slot and extending across the machine `from side to side thereof, said plate comprising ledge Adisposed in the lower part of said casing and movable vertically relative to said type bars, a slot cut through the end wall and both side walls of said casing between said type b ars and said platen mechanism, a plate facing the bottom of said slot and extending across said slot from side to side of the machine, saidl plate comprising ledge portions projecting beyond the side walls of said casing, said ledge portions having slots therein, and shiftable stop members guided in said slots and movable therealong relative tofsaid casing, said stop members limiting the insertion of the instrument into the machine. v

. 46. In a check writer, the combination of a casing having-a check receiving opening, a plurality of type elements adapted to be moved into registration with a printing line,

and an indicator for indica-ting the printing line, said indicator being movable into an out of indicating position.

7. lIn a check writer, tire combination of a casing having a check receiving slot therein, a plurality of type elements adapted for/- selective actuationto bring selected type characters into registration with a printing line, and a pair of indicating lingers pivoted to said casing and movable into and out of indicating position vfor designating said printing line.

8;. In a check writer, the combination of a casing havin a checky receiving slot therein, a plurality or movable type elements in said casing above l,said-slot, an operating handle for making the impression between the check and said type elements, and gripping mechanism operable by said handle for gripping the check in said slot, the parts actuated` in the performance o'said gripping function being all coninedbelow the level of said slot. v

9. In acheck writer,the combination of a casing having a check receivingslot therein, a plurality of reciprocating type bars above said slot, an operating handle for making the printing impression, a gripping finger operating handle, a lever engaged by said cam and: operable to raise and lower said gripping finger, said finger, cam and lever `being all confined below the level-of said- Slot. l I' printing members having printing characters thereon, perforating mechanism, a printing platen, an oscillatory frame on which said 10. In a check writerthe combination of i perforating mechanism and said printing platen are supported for operative motion, a limiting stop. for said frame, and an adjusting member for said stop extending remotely therefrom or accessibly disposing said adjustment.

11. 'In a check write'rfthe combination of a supporting frame, a plurality of printing members, perforating mechanism and a platen mechanism, oscillatory means for actuating said perforating mechanism and said platen mechanism, a stop for limiting the motion of said oscillatory means, and

an adjusting member-for said stop extendlng to a point adjacent the margin of said supporting frame/for accessibly locating the A adj ustment./

12. In a check writer, the combinationof a casing, check protecting mechanism in said casing comprising a plurality of printing members, perforating means, and platen means, means affording access to said check protecting mechanism, actuating lmeans for moving said mechanism, a stop for limitin' the movement of said actuating means, an an adjusting member for said stop extending therefrom to a point adjacent said access affording mean 13.` In a check writer, the combination of a supporting frame, check protecting mechanism carried by an oscillatory frame moving relative to said supporting frame, a lever pivoted'to said supporting frame for limiting the motion of said oscillatory frame, and a link `extending from said lever for adjusting the latter from the end of said supporting frame. e

14. In a check writer, the combination of a casing having a check receiving slot vthere- "in, a plurality of type elements in said casing above said slot, an operating handle for A making the printing impression between the check and-said type elements, and a smudge member movable by said operating handle for deiecting that portion of the check away from the type elements which is not to receive the impression, said smudge member o moving'above the level of said slot.

15. In a check writer, the combination of a casing having a check .receivin slot therein, a lurality of type elements 1n said casing a ove said slot, inking means for inking said type elements, operating mechanism for actuating said inln'ng means, a smudge plate.

-movable by said actuating means, said a casing havlng a check receiving slot, a

plurality of printing elements, an inkingl pad for inking said elements, and a smudge plate connected to said inking pad, said in ing pad and smudge plate being disposed above said check receiving slot.

17. In a check writer, the combination of a plurality7 oftypeelements, an inking pad for inking the latter, and a smudge plate connected with said inking pad and moving therewith. v 18. In a check writer, the combination of a plurality 'of type elements each having amount indicating characters spaced and inalignment longitudinally along the type elements and adapted to be brought into selective registration with a printing line in said check writer, and single indicia -means carried by each` said type elements and aligned longitudinally thereof with all said indicating characters on the type elements for impressing the species of currency `in immediate proximity to the amount indicating characters, said type elements being incapable of movement to a non-printing po. s ition. Y

19. In a check' writer, the Acombination of a plurality of type elements having a plurality of amount indicating charcters adapted to be brought into registration with a printing line in said check writer, symbols carried by a plurality of said type elements and adapted for impression along the printto stop-off the space on one side o ing line the amount indlcating characters, apluraliv able, and signs on a ty of said type elements each having single indicia means for impressirgthe species of currency in immediate proximityI to the amount -indicating characters, the movement of each of said latter type4 elements being limited whereby the impression of an amount indicating character, a symbol or a lcurrency indicating character is compelled at all times.

- 20. In a check writer, the combination of a plurality of reciprocating type bars, each of said bars having-a plurality of digit characters for impressing the amount pay- "able, said characters being adapted to be.

brought into selective registration with a printing line in said check writer, stars orV 00 other symbols on a plurality of said type barsaligned longitudinally with the other characters thereon andv adapted to stop-off the space on one side of the amount paybars intermediate said symbols and said digit characters and aligned longitudinally of the bars therewith, whereby a sign can' be impressed in immediate proximity to the first amount indicating digit by corresponding setting of the adjacent type bar, the impression of either said digit character, said symbol or said sign being compelled by the limited movement of the type'bar.

21. In a check writing machine having a check guideway therein, an abutment adjacent said guideway, a bell crank lever pivotedv belowsaid guideway, yielding means plurality of said typefor urging one arm of said lever into contact with saidabutment for gripping a check therebetween, and operating means for en gaging the other arm of said bell crank lever for disengaging the first arm from said abutment.

f my name this 21st day of April, 1922.

GEORGE wiLLIs. 

